Ontario shuts down provincial parks until at least April's end

If you were thinking of a natural refuge from the coronavirus pandemic, somewhere to go for a walk or just to soak up nature, think again.

Ontario has now closed all its provincial parks as a public health precaution.

The move, effective immediately and until April 30, means no visitors will be allowed in the parks and all visitors including campers already in them must be out Thursday.

“As COVID-19 continues to quickly evolve, we want to ensure public safety and the well-being of our visitors and staff in Ontario’s provincial parks,” Christine Elliott, Ontario’s minister of health, said in a statement.

The government will issue penalty-free refunds and is asking people to not cancel their reservations to avoid triggering automatic penalty fees.

In Norfolk County provincial parks include Long Point and Turkey Point.